Relocated Taiwan military arsenal boosts efficiency, safety: Chief

Kaohsiung, Aug. 30 (CNA) A newly relocated military arsenal in Kaohsiung has significantly improved its safety management and defense production capacity through the use of automated systems, as part of the military's ongoing efforts to bolster its indigenous defense capabilities, the arsenal's chief told CNA on Sunday.

Major General Huang Chiao-chan (黃教展), head of the 205th Arsenal under the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) Armament Bureau, spoke during a media tour of the arsenal, the first of its kind since the arsenal was relocated from its former site in Kaohsiung's Cianjhen District to the current location in Dashu District.

Founded in 1945, the Armament Bureau's 205th Arsenal has been responsible for producing small arms of calibers under 40mm for Taiwan's armed forces.

Under Kaohsiung's "Asia New Bay Area" project, which aims to transform the southern port city's old industrial areas into new industrial, exhibition and cultural sites, the arsenal completed its relocation to two bases in Dashu District by the end of 2025.

Asked about the relocation, Huang said the new facilities underwent a comprehensive upgrade, including the integration of smart technologies and automated management systems.

These improvements not only mitigate security risks associated with the old facilities, but also provide a better working environment and living quarters for military personnel, he said.

Huang said the 205th Arsenal is primarily responsible for the research, development and production of various light weapons of 40mm caliber or smaller, as well as ammunition, explosives and combat gear.

Its products include the T75K3 9mm semi-automatic service pistol, T75 5.56mm light machine gun, T74 7.62mm medium machine gun, T90 .50 BMG heavy machine gun, and T75 20mm automatic cannon.

One of the arsenal's top priorities is now the T112 assault rifle.

The latest-generation domestically developed assault rifle was designed and developed by the bureau starting in 2020 and passed required tests in late 2023.

Taiwan's Army purchased an initial batch of 25,000 T112 rifles in 2025. The MND has allocated NT$8.1 billion (US$257.5 million) to purchase a total of 86,114 T112 rifles from 2025 to 2029, with all to be produced by the 205th Arsenal.

The latest-generation rifles will be deployed by Taiwan's combat units to replace the older T91 rifles, according to the MND.

During the tour, CNA and other reporters were also shown the T112 manufacturing process.

According to Colonel Lin Wei (林威), an official at the 205th Arsenal in charge of rifle production, the arsenal is capable of manufacturing all six key components of the rifle itself, including the barrel, bolt carrier group, upper and lower receivers, firing pin and bolt release.

Other components are manufactured by local suppliers, he said.

The new factory's production line is equipped with robotic arms and an automated management system to reduce manpower requirements and improve quality, Lin said.

The MND's Armament Bureau is one of the two major weapons manufacturers for Taiwan's armed forces.

In addition to the 205th Arsenal in Kaohsiung, the bureau operates three other arsenals in Taiwan: the 202nd Arsenal in Taipei's Nangang District, which produces firearms with calibers larger than 40mm; the 209th Arsenal in Nantou County, which manufactures armored vehicles; and the 401st Arsenal, which produces optoelectronic equipment and surveying systems.

The other major weapons manufacturer for Taiwan's armed forces is the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), which is responsible for producing missile systems.